CILTSA Announces Distinguished Speakers and Critical Topics for ESG Conference 2025
Expertly guided by Programme Director Aaron Munetsi, CEO of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa, the conference will feature presentations from senior executives representing key corporations including EY, Unitrans, Absa, DP World, Transnet, Isuzu and ISB Optimus.
The conference programme also includes interactive elements such as “Open Mic” sessions, allowing delegates to share their perspectives on positive environmental practices and sustainability initiatives they’ve observed in their communities.
The event opens with a critical examination of climate change and sustainability. This session addresses the urgent need for actionable strategies in transport, logistics and supply chain.
According to United Nations Development Programme research, the transport sector is responsible for 13.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making its transformation essential for meeting Paris Agreement goals.
A distinguished panel including Duane Newman, Tax Sustainability Partner at EY; Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative (NBI); and Liesl de Wet, Head of Accelerated Organisational Sustainability at Unitrans, will explore how global policy shifts impact Africa’s sustainable development trajectory. This discussion comes at a crucial time as developing economies navigate complex challenges whilst building climate resilience.
The conference will provide essential guidance on the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which takes effect in 2026. CBAM is a tool designed to put a fair price on the carbon emitted during the production of carbon-intensive goods imported into the EU, thereby preventing “carbon leakage” where companies move production to countries with less stringent climate policies.
The NBI says South Africa faces particular vulnerability to CBAM regulations, with the EU accounting for 21% of total national exports in 2022. The session will feature insights from Heidi Barends, Head of Sustainable Finance at Absa CIB.
ISB Optimus will present alongside Infor on building ESG intelligence into logistics operations. This session features ISB Optimus COO, Brian Mudhokani and ISB Optimus CEO, Munyaradzi Husvu. Alfred Nhira, Senior Solutions Consultant for EMEA at Infor, will demonstrate how ESG accountability drives operational excellence and business resilience.
A comprehensive panel discussion will explore the often-overlooked social pillar of ESG, featuring Sachin Chanderdhev, Manager: Segment Propositions, Relationship Banking at Absa Group; Esha Mansingh, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability for Sub-Saharan Africa at DP World; and Khuliso Rasimphi, Senior Specialist: ESG at Transnet.
Lythouse research indicates that 85% of companies report positive impacts from social responsibility initiatives on employee satisfaction and retention, highlighting the growing importance of the social dimension in ESG strategies.
Mpho Nkhumeleni, Executive: Commercial Vehicle Sales at Isuzu will address the practical challenges and opportunities in transitioning to sustainable trucking solutions, a critical component as the industry seeks to reduce its environmental footprint whilst maintaining operational efficiency.
The conference has received generous sponsorship support from industry, with ISB Optimus, Absa, Isuzu, SGS and Tendai Mhlanga Photography all on board. “This conference represents a pivotal moment for our industry,” says Elvin Harris, President of CILTSA. “We’re bringing together the brightest minds to address the complex ESG challenges facing transport and logistics. The quality of our speaker line-up and the breadth of topics covered demonstrate the sector’s commitment to sustainable transformation.”
